Artificial Soil Mix Based on Zoo Compost of the Black Soldier Fly

One hundred and sixty-two spruce provenances, representing allopatric and sympatric populations of white, Engelmann, and Sitka spruce in British Columbia were sown in a coastal nursery. Twelve of these provenances were randomized in four replications, two of which were of regular nursery soil and two of an artificial soil mix. One hundred and fifty were randomized in six replications, all of which were of the artificial soil mix. In the second nursery year a plastic greenhouse was placed over two replications of the 12 provenances.An assessment of the growth behavior of all provenances showed a strong correlation between time of entering dormancy and geographic origin. A high correlation between time of entering dormancy and total growth is also demonstrated. The dormancy curve is shown to characterize a provenance with some accuracy.High-elevation provenances, which were the first to enter dormancy, were stunted in growth and exhibited a "rosette" appearance as a result of decreased internode length, while certain low-elevation provenances from the interior of British Columbia grew as well as Sitka spruce.On the basis of these results, recommendations are made in regard to the propagation of interior spruce in coastal nurseries, both in the open and in plastic greenhouses, and in regard to the displacement of spruce provenances in the interior of British Columbia. It is emphasized that these recommendations are tentative and will be modified as information accumulates concerning the genecology of white and Engelmann spruce in British Columbia. A major source of new information in this respect will be the long-term field trials that followed the study reported here.

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Soil development of an artificial soil mix: nutrient dynamics, plant growth, and initial physical changes

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr99048 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 465 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. A. Cox ◽

R. J. Whelan

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Formation ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Soil Development ◽

Artificial Soil ◽

Microbial Decomposition ◽

Organic C ◽

Trunk Diameter ◽

Soil Mix

An artificial soil mix made out of industry wastes and sewage sludge has been created for the revegetation of an industrial site. Physico-chemical properties were measured over time to examine soil formation in a chronosequence of 11 gardens aged 3–11 years, and in a 3-year longitudinal study of 8 replicate experimental plots. In the field plots, available nutrient content was initially high but declined quickly in 3 months. Particle weathering occurred, with an increase in the finer soil fractions after 1 year. pH was initially 7.62 and declined to 6.85 by 3 years. Native tree growth was exceptionally good over the 2 years monitored, with average trunk diameter increases of 144 mm for Corymbia maculata, 94 mm for Acacia floribunda, and 39 mm for Callistemon salignus. In the chronosequence study, there was a build- up of nutrients (C, N, and P) in the soil mix over 6–10 years, with a slight decrease by 11 years. This study has shown that soil development has occurred in the short and longer terms, with rapid changes seen in the first 12 months. High levels of N and P remaining after 11 years, and abundant organic C for microbial decomposition, indicate the potential for nutrient cycling

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